There are times in life when we all need to go back to something that provides or provided us with comfort, a fresh perspective or just a bit of reinforcement about the extent to which we control our own destinies. For me that is “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews. The book is historical fiction, but it packs a punch with valuable life lessons.
The book follows the story of a man who is down on his luck and has an accident. Sound familiar, it’s a bit like “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The difference is that this man journeys back through time and visits with prominent historical figures. Upon completion of his meeting with the historical vision he receives a lesson that he can carry with him and build his personal strategies for success.
This week I’ve been focusing on that first lesson…”The Buck Stops Here”. It’s interesting because the obvious contradiction is that those diagnosed with a life-altering illness, for the most part, had no part in harboring the conditions for the illness. It’s what is done following the diagnosis that each person has control over. We have control over the questions asked of providers. We have control over whether or not we follow our medical regimen.
What do you feel you have control over? Where does the buck stop for you? How will you take responsibility for the decisions about your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional life? Maximizing the control we have over our lives can alleviate stress and improve your quality of life. Isn’t it worth it?
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 